CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which cloud characteristic allows you to pay only for the services you use?

1. Bursting

2. Pay as you grow

3. Chargeback

4. Autoscaling

The correct answer is: Pay as you grow

The characteristic that allows you to pay only for the services you use is known as "Pay as you grow." This concept is foundational in cloud computing, where costs are directly tied to resource consumption. Rather than a flat fee or upfront investment, organizations are billed based on actual usage, which provides financial flexibility and allows for more efficient resource allocation. By utilizing this model, companies can scale their cloud services according to demand. For instance, during peak times, they might use more resources and incur higher charges, while during quieter periods, costs can decrease as resources are scaled back. This approach is beneficial for businesses that experience fluctuating workloads, as it means they are not overspending on resources they are not utilizing. The remaining choices highlight important but different concepts related to cloud services. Bursting refers to the ability to quickly allocate additional resources to handle spikes in demand, which might minimize costs during normal operation but does not inherently focus on the pricing model. Chargeback involves tracking cloud resource usage for billing back to departments within an organization, which does not directly imply paying only for what is used on a broader scale. Autoscaling automatically adjusts the allocation of resources based on current demand, yet it does not define the payment structure. Thus, "Pay as you grow"